High pressure closures



June 21, s, KQpp HIGH PRESSURE CLOSURES Filed March 22. 1952 aww Qn@ SIGMUND KOPP HIVEIITOR ATTORIIE HIGH PRESSURE CLSURES Sigmund Kopp, Fredonia, N. Y., assigner to American Locomotive Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 22, 1952, Serial No. 278,019

9 Caims. (Ci. 22d-S5) This invention relates to closures for heat exchangers, particularly massive heat exchangers of the shell and tube type in which the hydrostatic pressure of the shell fluid is of the magnitude of several thousand pounds per square inch.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a closure for a heat exchanger of the high pressure vessel type in which a closure plate or cover is held rmly and tightly in the shell or barrel of the exchanger head by a shear ring construction of novel design. Another object is to provide such a closure which provides proper sealing without the use of conventional gaskets and bolts. Still another object is to provide such a closure construction for a heat exchanger head which has a sealing ring welded to the external surface of the exchanger assembly opposite the joint between the shell and cover so that any iiuid leaking through the joint will be prevented from escaping, the arrangement of the sealing ring being such that it may be removed relatively easily in the event it is desired to obtain access to the interior of the exchanger for purposes of repairs or replacement of parts.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional View showing the invented arrangement of a closure locked into operative position in a heat exchanger head with the sealing means welded into position; Fig. 2 is a modified form of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. l; and, Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawing, there is shown a fragmentary sectional view of a head for a high pressure heat exchanger of the shell and tube type in which the barrel 10 is formed with a counterbored shoulder 11 against which cover 12 is disposed in abutment lwhen the cover is inserted in the barrelduring the assembly of the apparatus. Cover 12 is formed with a circumferential cut-out portion defined by radial wall 13 and the axially extending peripheral surface 14. Barrel 10 has an internal annular recess defined by radial rear and forward walls 15 and 16 respectively, and by an end wall 17. Forward, as used in this specification, means toward the open end of the barrel.

Shear ring 18 is arranged in the barrel recess so that its forward radial face 19 is disposed opposite Wall 16 and its rear radial face 2t) is disposed opposite wall 15 of the barrel recess. To facilitate assembly of the shear ring 18 into the barrel recess, the former is divided into a plurality of conventional arcuate segments, two of which are shown in Fig. 3. The axial dimension of portion 21 of the cover, that is to say the distance from the rear face 22 of the cover to wall 13, is slightly greater than the axial distance from shoulder 11 to recess wall 15. Hence, upon positioning the shear ring in the barrel recess after the cover has been located against shoulder 11 during assembly, there will accordingly be a small nited States Patent Z,7i1,266 Patented .lune 21, 1955 ice n latter clearance is required for assembly purposes, as

will later appear.

The radially inner face 25 of the shear ringY 18 is slightly tapered forwardly toward the barrel mouth and outwardly away from the barrel axis. An annular shoulder 26 is provided in the forward Wall of the shear ring for the reception of an integral or one piece retainer ring 27, said ring having an inner face 2S which has the same forward and outward taper as the inner face 25 of the shear ring. When the shear ring and retainer ring are in assembled position, their inner faces form a continuous surface. A backing ring 29 has its radially outer face Sti formed with the same forward and outward taper as the tapers of the inner faces of the shear ring and retainer ring.

To assemble the elements of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. l, cover 12 is first inserted into the barrel so that its rear face 22 abuts shoulder 11. The segments of the shear ring 13 (usually four) are then arranged in the barrel recess. Retainer ring 27 is then inserted to engage shoulder 26, and since it is an integral unit, it holds the shear ring segments in assembled position. Clearance 24 permits the segments to be moved radially outwardly far enough to allow for such insertion. Backing ring 29 is then driven into wedging position.

Lastly, a snap locking ring lis disposed in an annular' slot 32 in cover 12 to hold the assemblytin axial position. Some clearance 33 is provided between the rear Wall 34 of backing ring 29 and the wall 13 of the cover to facilitate assembly.

When the apparatus is put into operation, hydrostatic pressure builds up in the shell fluid in chamber 35, and the force created thereby is transmitted through the cover 12 and shear ring 18 to the recess wall 16 in the barrel. Such pressure forces the cover tightly against the shear ring and the shear ring tightly against wall 16 so that the cover is maintained in closed position. Any cocking of the shear ring permitted by the assembly clearances is prevented by backing ring 29. Ring 29 thus serves not only to wedge retainer ring 27 firmly against barrel 1t) to provide a rigid supporting means for the shear ring segments but also to maintain the segments in such position that cooking is avoided.

The shear ring and its associated elements having been thus secured in position, a relatively thin sealing ring 36, U-shaped in cross section, is welded at 37 on barrel and the cover lugs or projections 3S to provide a hermetic seal. Any radial outward movement of the barrel in relation to the cover due to thermal expansion is easily absorbed by the sealing ring because of its coniiguration. The steel alloy of the ring possesses suiiicient exibility to permit such expansion. By the same token, the ring Will absorb any relative movement between the shell and cover due to axial thermal expansion. Whenever it may be desired to disassemble the unit, the weld may be re'- moved by conventional iiarne cutting methods since it is readily accessible. Rewelding of course will be necessary on reassembly. A drain 39 is provided in the outer Wall of the sealing ring.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated a modification of the invention wherein snap ring 31a is inserted in groove 32a in the barrel (instead of in the cover asin Fig. 1). The tapers on rings 13a and the rear portion of 29a are the same in this modification so that the'wedging action between these two rings is the same as in Fig. l. The forward portion of ring 29a and the inner face of ring 27a have a taper reversed from that shown in Fig. 1.

The assembly of the elements of the modication of Fig. 2 is somewhat different from that of the first embodiment. After the shear ring segments are positioned in the barrel recess, the backing ring 29a is inserted as shown. The clearance 24a facilitates such insertion. Ring 29a should be disposed so that a clearance 33a is provided between its rear wall 34a and wall 13a of the cover cutout portion. Retaining ring 27a, which is an integral or single piece unit, is then wedged into position to lock ring 29a in place. Snap ring 31a is thereupon inserted into recess 32:1. It should be noted that a clearance 38a is provided between the retaining7 ring 27a and the shear ring 18a. Clearances 38a and 33a are provided so that cover 12, when forced outwardly by hydrostatic pressure, will not engage ring 29a and so that shear ring 18a will not engage ring 27a to force such elements against snap ring 31a which is not designed to take any load.

Thus, I have provided a seal for a high pressure closure in two embodiments that are easy to assemble and dis assemble and that provide an effective seal without the use of the customary bolts and gaskets,

While there has been lhereinbefore described approved embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that many and various changes and modiiications in form, arrangement of parts and details of construction thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated as a part of this invention.

What I claim is:

l. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pressure-sustaining barrel having an open end and an inwardly facing annular recess adjacent said end, a cover in the barrel having a peripheral cut-out portion opposite the recess, a segmented shear ring disposed in the recess and in overlapping engagement with the cover, said ring having an inner tapered face, a backing ring disposed in the cut out portion, carried by the cover and having a tapered face abutting the shear ring face to support said ring, said backing ring extending forwardly beyond the shear ring, a retainer ring having an inner tapered face resting on the extension of the backing ring, a snap ring locking said first three rings in assembled position, and exible hermetic sealing means spanning the joint between the cover and barrel.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pressure-sustaining barrel having an open end, an inwardly facing annular recess adjacent said end, and an annular slot between the recess and open end; a cover in the barrel having a peripheral cut-out portion opposite the barrel recess; a segmented shear ring disposed in the recess and in overlapping engagement with the cover; a backing ring carried by the cover and supporting the shear ring; a retainer ring wedged between the shear ring and backing ring; a snap ring in the barrel slot engaging the retainer ring to lock said first three rings in position; and hermetic sealing means spanning the joint between the cover and barrel.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pressure-sustaining barrel having an open end, an inwardly facing annular recess adjacent said end, and an annular slot between the recess and open end; a cover in the barrel having a peripheral cut-out portion opposite the barrel recess; a segmented shear ring disposed to extend into the recess and into overlapping engagement with the cover, said ring having an inner face tapered forwardly and radially outwardly; a backing ring disposed in the cut out portion supported by the cover and having a tapered face abutting the shear ring face to support said shear ring; a retainer ring partly disposed between portions of the shear ring and backing ring and in contact with both rings; a snap ring in said barrel slot engaging the retainer ring for locking said first three rings in position; and flexible hermetic sealing means spanning the joint between the cover and barrel forwardly of the snap ring.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pressure-sustaining barrel having an open end and an inwardly facing annular recess adjacent said end; a cover in the barrel having a peripheral cutaout portion opposite the recess; a segmented shear ring disposed to extend into the recess and into overlapping engagement with the cover, said ring having its inner face tapering forwardly and radialy outwardly; a backing ring disposed in the cut out portion supported by the cover and having its outer face tapering forwardly and radially outwardly for substantially Vhalf its length in engagement with the tapered shear ring face, the remaining portion of the backing ring tapering forwardly and radially inwardly; a retainer ring partly disposed between portions of the shear ring and backing ring and having its inner face tapered forwardly andY inwardly in contact relation with said remaining portion of the backing ring; a snap ring for locking said first three rings in assembled position; and flexible hermetic sealing means spanning the joint between the cover and barrel forwardly of the snap ring.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pressure-sustaining barrel having an open end, a fluid receiving chamber, and an inwardly facing annular recess adjacent said end, said recess having a forward wall radial to the axis of the barrel; a cover in the barrel having a peripheral cut-out portion opposite thc recess; an annular slot in the cut-out portion; a segmented shear ring having a forward radial wall engaging the radial wall of the recess and a rear radial wall engaging the cover; a backing ring disposed in the cut out portion, supported by the cover and in turn supporting the shear ring; a retainer ring supported and wedged by the backing ring and also supporting the shear ring; a snap ring in the annular slot overlapping the retainer ring for locking said first three rings in position; and hermetic sealing means spanning the joint between the cover and barrel,

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pressure-sustaining barrel having an open end, a fluid receiving chamber, and an inwardly facing annular recess adjacent said end, said recess having a forward wall radial j to the axis of the barrel; a cover in theV barrel having a peripheral cut-out portion opposite the recess; an annular slot in the cut-out portion; a segmented shear ring having a forward radial wall engaging the radial wall of the recess and a rear radial wall engaging the cover; said Vring having j joint between the cover and barrel forwardly of the snap.

ring.

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pressure-sustaining barrel having an open end, a fluid receiving chamber, and an inwardly facing annular recess adjacent said end, said recess having a forward wall radial to the axis of the barrel; a cover in the barrel having a peripheral cut-out portion opposite the recess; a segmented shear ring having a forward radial wall engaging the radial wall of the recess and a rear radial wall engaging the cover, the shear ring having its inner face tapering forwardly and` radially outwardly; a backing ring disposed in the cut-out portion, supported by the cover and having its outer vface tapering forwardly and radially outwardly in Contact with the shear ring face for substantially half its length; a retainer ring to hold the segments of the t shear ring in radial position, said retainer ring having its inner face tapered forwardly and radially outwardly to engage the outer face of the backing ring; a snap ring for locking said first three rings in position; and exible hermetic sealing means spanning the joint between the cover and barrel forwardly of the snap ring.

8. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pressure-sustaining barrel having an open end, a uid receiving chamber, and an inwardly facing recess in the barrel, said recess having a forward wall radial to the barrel axis; a cover in the barrel having a peripheral cutout portion opposite the recess; a segmented shear ring disposed in the recess, said ring having a tapered inner face and radial side walls, the forward side wall engaging the forward wall of the recess and the rear side wall engaging the cover when said cover is subjected to the pressure of fluid in the barrel chamber; an integral retainer ring to hold the segmented shear ring in the recess, said retainer ring having a tapered inner face; a backing ring disposed in the cut-out portion and having a tapered outer face engaging the tapered inner faces of the shear ring and retainer ring; a snap ring locking said rst three rings in assembled position; and hermetic sealing means spanning the joint between the cover and barrel.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pressure-sustaining barrel having an open end, a uid receiving chamber, and an inwardly facing annular recess in the barrel, said recess having a forward wall radial to the barrel axis; a cover in the barrel having a peripheral cutout portion opposite the recess; a segmented shear ring disposed in the recess, said ring having a tapered inner face, radial side walls, and an annular shoulder in its forward wall; an integral retainer ring disposed against said shoulder to hold the segmented shear ring in the recess, said retainer ring having a tapered inner face; ak

backing ring disposed in the cut-out portion and having a tapered outer face engaging the tapered inner faces of the shear ring and retainer ring; a snap ring locking said first three rings in assembled position; and hermetic sealing means spanning the joint between the cover and barrel.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I 1,926,107 Morehead Sept. 12, 1933 2,203,364 Rathbun June 4, 1940 2,226,495 Jacocks Dec. 24, 1940 2,237,029 Fischer Apr. 1, 1941 2,252,488 Bierend Aug. 12, 1941 2,278,881 Jacocks Apr. 7, 1942 2,296,620 Tinker Sept. 22, 1942 

